EUNAVFOR Med vessels, led by German FGS Berlin and Spanish ESPS Canarias, saved 660 lives in the central Mediterranean Sea on December 24 and 25.

The unusually calm sea waters increased the flow of migrants from the Libyan coast.

While patrolling the assigned area of operations, the two vessels in service within Eunavfor Med operation Sophia, were requested to intervene in favor of several vessels sailing in distress towards the Italian coast.

In a coordinated operation, the two ships accomplished the given rescue missions without incidents. All the migrants were then transferred to a vessel of the Italian coastguard and to the ONG asset Siem Pilot in order to allow the military ships to go back to their duty against human smuggling and trafficking.

Operation Sophia vessels have so far been involved in 44 rescue operations which resulted in saving more than 8100 lives.